Down, but Not Out

 Vonda Shepard sings a song that says, "Ain't it funny how you're walking through life and it turns on a dime?" Well, in my case, it would have to be, "Ain't it funny how you're running through life and it turns on a dime?" Yesterday afternoon, I wanted to go out for my last little run before the half marathon on Sunday. All I was doing was four miles. I have this route near home, that is straight uphill Newport the first two miles, then I get to turn around and cruise home the last two miles downhill. I've done it dozens of times. Well, I tripped on the downhill and couldn't break my fall. I face planted on the concrete and knew right away I was a mess. Blood was pouring out of me from several places. I saw that I had ruined my beautiful running glasses that my son had given  me as a gift. As silly as it sounds when you are lying in a heap at the side of the road, this made me cry the most!
I knew I had several injuries and was worried I had lost a tooth from the fall. Blood was coming from both my nose and mouth and it was hard to tell at that point. Bloody hand, arm and knees added to my trouble. I knew I was about two miles from home, but if I could just pull it together, I could get back. Sadly, I did not bring my cell phone on this run as I often don't on short runs. Suddenly, a car pulls up beside me and a woman and her son get out. The woman said she had seen me fall and it looked so bad and terrible, she had to turn her car around and come back to see if I was okay. She gave me tissues to wipe up some of the blood. She offered to take me home, but I refused to get into her beautiful Lexus for fear of getting blood everywhere. I asked her to call my husband. When he didn't answer, she sent him a text. Then I asked her to call my daughter. She told Amber I had fallen and where I was located. She didn't want to leave me, but she was taking her daughter to a tutor lesson. I said they would be there fast, as we live close by and to go. Julie, whoever you are, wherever you are, thank you from the bottom of my heart for stopping! Your kindness will stay with me for a very long time. I remember sitting on the ground, bleeding profusely, and telling you that you had cute shoes!! (She did!) She probably thought I was in shock. She doesn't know how much I love shoes!
Moments later, Mark showed up, followed by Amber. Another young woman also stopped and asked if I was okay. She was young and so sweet. I told her this was my husband and I was going to be okay. I thanked her for stopping. By then, shaking terribly, Mark got me into the car and home for a shower to assess the damages. Crying in the shower is the best. You can't tell where the tears start and the water ends!
My face really took a beating. Not being able to break my fall because of the downhill, really messed me up. I have gashes on my face, a bad road burn under my nose and inside my mouth a huge gash that has been swollen, but finally stopped bleeding. This will make eating rather difficult. It may be the answer to the last three pounds I have been wanting to lose! (Silver lining?!?!) Happy to report, I still have all my teeth! My hands are scraped badly and my knees even worse. I am thankful I had Motrin 800 in the cupboard (thanks, Jo!).

Here's my face the day after. Under the nose is quite the mess. Good thing people know my mild mannered husband as it looks a little like spousal abuse!! HA!
As of now, I still plan to run on Sunday in the half marathon. God willing, it will come to pass.
Every day I say a prayer of thanks for my health. Today, I pray for speedy healing! Amen.

Sunrise

Many may disagree with me, but I think this is the best part of the day. Sunrise...it holds so many possibilities, so much promise. It is peaceful and calm. It turns from darkness into light right before your very eyes. It is worth leaving your toasty bed and venturing into the chill of the morning. To me, it says, "OK, here we go again! Try and make it a better day than yesterday...a better you than yesterday."
Still trying...

Notice

Often, I am not very good at noticing this. Often, they put up with the daily sh** I throw out there. Often, I see the mess and they see the memories. Often, they are right near me. Often, they have the same last name as me. Often, they live right in my house.
I need to tell them they are amazing...often!
Biggsuzi

Sad Truths

While I read the paper every day, cover to cover, I must admit, when a headline reads, "Girl Killed Outside Bar", I generally don't get past the headline. My husband and I have this theory that no good can come from being out late at night or in the wee hours of the morning. You hear about a car crash on the news, and more often than not, it happened at 2:00am or 3:00am. Also, more often than not, alcohol is also involved. Those of you who know me, know I enjoy my wine, but rarely do I drink at a bar, in the wee hours of the morning. It just seems like a recipe for trouble.
Last week, a young woman was brutally beaten in Santa Ana outside a restaurant/bar. I am sure these things happen all the time and don't always make the paper. What has caused this one to be so unsettling, for me, are two things. One, the terrible thing this girl did was photo bomb a group's picture. Photobombing, a new word that just became part of our society not long ago, is when you are about to take a photo and someone inserts themselves into the photo. Our family does it all the time to each other. It is kind of funny and kind of annoying, but worthy of a brutal beating?? How could her silly act have made the group so angry that they beat, punched and kicked her to death??? I cannot possibly wrap my head around these facts.
The second thing that I cannot understand is that this whole altercation took place with tons of people watching! Not one person tried to stop the group from beating this woman. In fact, they not only didn't try to stop it, many took the time to snap photos or video of the scene while it was happening!!! I bet many of them had it posted on Facebook before the beating was even over.
When did we become so desensitized to each other? When did getting a few "likes" on Facebook become more important than another human being? When did we become watchers of injustice, and our only thought was snapping a photo of it? When did such a level of violence not move us to action other than capturing it on our cell phone?
This young woman was someone's daughter, someone's granddaughter. I cannot even imagine the heartache this family must be feeling about now. Maybe she was a good person, maybe not. The fact remains, she was a person. How can we turn our backs on that fact?
Remember that old saying, "Take a picture. It last longer."? Well, in this case, I guess it is true. She is gone. The photos remain.
Such senseless sadness.

Numbers Don't Lie

 Here is my day by the numbers:

I ran 3 times in 24 hours.

I ran 13.15 miles total.

 I am training for a 200 mile relay race with 11 other people.

I was almost hit by a car 3 times.

The fine for driving thru a crosswalk when there is a pedestrian in it in the state of California is $500.00.

If you don't believe me, look it up!

Our team name is The Lone Ragnars!! Hi Ho, Silver!!!!

Best Things

I am a bargain hunter, so looking at this list of "free" things got my attention. So often we tie our happiness to the next pair of shoes (running ones for me!),the  next vacation, the  next raise, the next whatever!
Here's a great list of best things that are free. Stick people don't lie!! We often don't notice when we have these things, but we sure notice when they are not part of our life!
What's on your list of priceless things?

Best Days

I am wondering how many people truly believe this. Years ago, when I was in my 40s, I remember stating to a group of friends that the best was past us. We'd had our wedding.We'd had our children. We'd become what we'd become, both personally and professionally. Our bodies were beginning to betray us. I felt the rest of life would be spent living through the events and successes of those around us. Not our marriage, but our kids. Not our babies, but our grand babies. We were destined to sit at the "old people table" at the parties and weddings of the future, no longer dancing, but watching the dancers.
This really set my friends off. How could I feel this way? There was so much living yet to do and experience! We had so much for which to look forward! Even today, I am not so sure I agree with them. Life has a way of beating us up. There are many challenges we have faced, year after year, and it can wear us down. Nobody gets by without a few "life battle wounds". Some people seem to get more than their share. Fairness doesn't seem to enter into it. Tricky stuff.
Although I may not believe that the best days of my life haven't happened yet, I hold out hope for a few more really good days that still make me smile.

I Don't Care...Really!

I have been married a long time...a really long time. Maybe that is why this sign gave me a good laugh.
Here's the scene right out of the movie of my life:
Scene: Couple in car, backing out of driveway.
Wife: Where do you want to go?
Husband: I don't care.
Wife: Oh my gosh, you say that every time! Can't you come up with an idea??
Husband: Don Jose?
Wife: God, no! The last time we ate there the food was awful.
Husband: Italian?
Wife: No, I made pasta last night.
Husband: I don't care.
Wife: You NEVER help with this decision. It's always up to me to figure out where we are going to eat.
Husband: Where do you want to go?
Wife: Why do I always have to be the one to decide?? You know, just forget it. I don't want to go out anymore!
Husband: That's the difference between us. When I say,"I don't care", I really mean I don't care. When you say, "I don't care", you mean, "I want Chinese" and I am supposed to know that!
Wife: You just don't understand me at all.
Wife sits with arms crossed in the car as husband raises his eyes to the sky and sighs.
End of scene...til the next time!!!
Is this a scene from your life too???

Oh, Callie

Do I have the only dog that MUST come find me when I am in the bathroom?! I often don't close the door all the way back in our bedroom and, more often than not, she manages to stick her head in and seems to say, "Whatcha doin'??" It reminds me of when my kids were small and a minute to myself was hard to come by, if at all. Sometimes I would lock the bathroom door and pretend to be peeing, just to get a moments peace!
I guess dog moms have the same kind of issues!!
Love you, Callie Girl!!

Girl Child

 Last year, my kids informed me (I guess they had a discussion among the two of them) that I am no longer allowed to post old pictures of them on FB or my blog. So, in lieu of a photo, I offer up these motivational signs for my daughter on her birthday. This last year, she has totally transformed herself. What it really boils down to is, she decided after three kids, born very close to each other, she was making herself and her health a priority. I am so proud of her and her continued pursuit of this healthy lifestyle. Watching her, inspired me last year as well.

That we love her, goes without saying. That we admire her, needs to be said. Juggling all the balls in the air (work, kids, schedules, marriage, friends and more) is a tough job. It's kind of like running. Some days are easier than others. In the beginning of her running, she'd ask, "When does it get easier?" Back then, I struggled to give her a good answer, but now I think I have that answer. It doesn't get easier. You just get stronger.
Yes, kind of like life...

I Like This

A Challenge, You Say?

I always like a good challenge and I found this idea on Facebook and thought it was pretty darn clever AND doable!! Every week you drop money into your "Challenge Jar". The idea is you put in $1.00 on week one, $2.00 on week two, $3 on week three, etc. At the end of 52 weeks, you have $1,378.00!!! This just proves, once again, that taking small steps can make BIG differences in your life. So often, we look at the big picture of any problem or challenge and feel overwhelmed with it. Breaking things down into smaller steps makes its success much more possible.

I have even made my cute little money challenge holder and dropped the first dollar into it. Every Friday of 2014, I plan to do the same thing. I think I will keep it on my nightstand as a constant reminder for each week.
Are you up for the challenge??